Dallas ran 69 plays and controlled the clock for 38 minutes last week, but still the Giants came out victorious.

Jon Beason is feeling it now.

After seeing increased reps against the Cowboys, the middle linebacker missed practice again on Thursday due to an ankle injury. But his “plan” is to play this week in New Orleans.

“Just a little sore,” the defensive captain said. “So we’re just trying to be smart. I’m trying to make it to Sunday.”

Beason ran his snap count up to 60 in Week 7, nearly doubling what he did the game before while dealing with a knee issue. Uani ‘Unga, who has backed up Beason this season and split the workload, missed the Cowboys game because of a neck problem.

“It’s been working,” Beason said. “But unfortunately, guys get nicked. The good thing about our room is we have a lot of guys that can play, a lot of veteran guys, smart players, and we feel good about whoever is out there.”

In a bend-but-don’t-break kind of game, Beason led the Giants with 11 tackles against Dallas and got back into the groove.

“For me, that’s what it’s all about,” Beason said. “I’ve been on a bike before. So I’ve just got to get back on and start pedaling. So getting out there was fun, felt good, felt natural, and some things I felt I could’ve done better. But that’ll come in time.”

If all goes according to plan, Beason will face a familiar foe from his NFC South days. Beason saw the Saints twice a year playing in Carolina, where he started from 2007-2013 and made multiple Pro Bowls.

Not much has changed since then. The whole team still revolves around quarterback Drew Brees.

“I think, first off, he’s a great teammate,” Beason said. “He’s a leader, captain of that [offense]. He makes that team go and that offense go. He’s pinpoint accurate. He makes smart decisions, quick decisions, and he’s kind of one of those guys that he came back from an injury and people said he couldn’t do something, and he just went out and proved why he still is Drew Brees.”

A rash of injuries have forced the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to use four different left tackles in the past five weeks — and it's led head coach Kent Austin to wonder if there's a little pre-Halloween sorcery going on in the bowels of some nefarious opposing stadium.

"Somebody's got a voodoo doll on us at left tackle and they're are sticking needles into us," Austin said.

The run of injuries began with Jake Olson, who was having a solid sophomore season before tearing his patella in a week 12 matchup against the Edmonton Eskimos (the same game that saw quarterback Zach Collaros lost for the year with a torn ACL.) Joel Figueroa took over for Olson the following week, but was hurt (again) in the loss to Calgary.

Rookie Cord Howard was up next, starting in the Oct. 19 win over Montreal and again last week vs. the Lions. But he was forced from the game with a lower body injury in the first half, only to be replaced by Canadian guard Ryan Bomben — who then suffered an arm injury that will likely cost him the rest of the season.

So now the Ticats are in need of a starting guard and another left tackle.

"It's tough, because you want to put the most competitive group up front, because it starts there," Austin said.

Veteran Tim O'Neill will step in at guard, while Figueroa looks set to return to the tackle spot on Sunday against the Redblacks. A talented and athletic player, Figueroa has missed 21 games over the past three seasons due to injury and has made just four starts this season.

"Figs hasn't played a lot this year, but the good news is he's been with us, so we trust that he'll play well," Austin said.

In addition to Figueroa, the Ticats could also see the return of veteran receiver Bakari Grant, who has been plagued by injuries. They have forced him to miss eight of the last 10 games. He has 30 catches and 447 yards and also brings a physical dimension to the receiving corps.

"It's looking good for Bakari, so that's real positive for us," Austin said.

The Redblacks are having their injury issues as well. Quarterback Henry Burris missed his second straight practice on Thursday with a knee injury, though head coach Rick Campbell told Ottawa media that he was "very confident," Burris would play Sunday.

If Burris can't go, Thomas DeMarco would get the nod for Ottawa. Burris has 219 career starts, DeMarco six and Austin was cagey on how a change at quarterback might alter Hamilton's defensive game plan.

MILWAUKEE — Right fielder Ryan Braun is recovering after undergoing a surgical procedure on his back but is expected to be at full strength when the Milwaukee Brewers begin spring training in February.

General manager David Stearns said the 31-year-old Braun was feeling as good as possible after having the surgery shortly after the season. The Brewers hope the procedure eliminates the pain that caused Braun to miss 14 of the last 18 games of the season.

"It was successful," Stearns said Thursday night during a town hall meeting with season ticket holders at Miller Park. "He's feeling as well as he can and we're looking forward to him having a healthy year."

The team said Braun needs three to four weeks to recover before beginning his offseason routine.

Braun bounced back this season after a disappointing 2014, hitting .285 with 25 homers and 84 RBIs, along with 24 stolen bases.

Braun's surgery was the only major medical update on Milwaukee's roster. The Brewers are entering a transitional phase under Stearns, hired last month to replace Doug Melvin.

What should the criteria be for the next Miami Hurricanes’ head football coach?

“You really have to go for a coach that’s for the people,” American Heritage coach and Canes legend Mike Rumph said on Hochman, Crowder and Krantz. “The fans need to really step up and see who they really want. We have such a big fan base I think you would have to go back to the alumni, you have to go the fans in the community and see who they want. If you go out and pick a random person and the fans don’t agree with it, they’re gonna give him a tough start from the beginning. But if you give someone who is kind of elected by the people, who the people want and then you’ve already won the fan base back already.

“I keep saying the fan base but it’s so important in South Florida to win those guys over. Are we tough fans? Yeah. Are we not really supportive when we need to be? Yes. But they’re still there and I think [the fans] should have a say-so on who’s going to come back in and be the next head coach.”

Rumph says he’s “very happy” at American Heritage, chasing their third consecutive state championship but wouldn’t rule out an interest in coaching at the U in the future. He agreed with Channing Crowder in that Miami doesn’t necessarily need a coach with Canes ties, he just wants “the best fit.”

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado — A little-known tight end recently signed off the street may just hold the solution to turning around a struggling Denver Broncos offense.Journeyman Richard Gordon's particular set of skills opens up quite a few avenues for the Broncos. He can block, meaning Peyton Manning should have Owen Daniels and Virgil Green available for short passes over the middle. That translates into teams having to defend the middle again, which could in turn spark a sputtering ground game.

So maybe this is a bit of a stretch for a fifth-year tight end who is joining his fifth NFL team. But the Broncos are searching for fixes to an offense that ranks 29th in the league heading into Sunday night's showdown against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Gordon isn't shy about going straight to the source as he takes this crash course in the Broncos' offense.

"It's nothing to turn around and ask (Manning) a question and he can tell me," said the 28-year-old Gordon, who was signed by Denver on Oct. 14, released a few days later and then signed again last week. "When you need help, he is there to help you."

Because Gordon could be a big help in keeping Manning upright as he scans the field for an open receiver. Ever since losing Julius Thomas and Jacob Tamme to free agency, Manning has been searching for a security blanket over the middle. Daniels and Green have assisted a banged-up offensive line with blocking, which limits their production in the passing game. They have a combined 17 catches and three TDs.

Denver was counting on rookie tight end Jeff Heuerman to provide a lift in the passing game, but he tore his ACL in May. It put a dent in coach Gary Kubiak's plans."I love running tight-end type offenses, two-tights, three-tights and those type of things," Kubiak said. "How we're built right now is a lot different, so we're having to adjust to that. We'll see where we go."

Gordon was a defensive end at the University of Miami before being converted into a tight end right around his junior year. A sixth-round pick by Oakland in 2011, Gordon has four career catches in stints with the Raiders, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Tennessee.

His plan here is simple for now.

"I just have to learn my plays," said Gordon, who's listed at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds.

Added protection can only help the 39-year-old Manning, who has more interceptions (10) than TDs (7) this season. His teammates have his back, though, with everyone asking the same sort of question this season: What's wrong with Manning?

"We're going to rally behind everybody," tailback C.J. Anderson said. "I'm not playing as well as where I'd like to be right now, and they're rallying behind me."

Anderson has yet to break off a run longer than 14 yards. And while Ronnie Hillman has two 100-yard games, the Broncos still rank 30th in the league in rushing.

Basically, the holes that were prevalent a year ago are just not opening up. Part of that has to do with a patchwork offensive line, with Denver reshuffling things before the season even began when Ryan Clady tore an ACL in the spring. Rookie left tackle Ty Sambrailo has been banged up in recent weeks, too, leading to more shuffling.

"We'll keep plugging here," Kubiak said. "We're going to all try to get better as we go."

Perryman was feared to have torn his pectoral muscle during Sunday's loss to the Raiders, but an MRI revealed nothing more than a strain. The rookie linebacker will hope for a speedy recovery this week, as his status for Sunday's Week 8 matchup against the Ravens remains questionable at best. If Te'o (ankle) is sidelined, Perryman could make his third straight start, given his health improves.

Besides a couple of costly goal line fumbles early this season, Frank Gore has run the football very effectively in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts. The 32-year-old running back is averaging 4.6 yards a carry. That's better than his career average (4.5) over 11 seasons.

But Gore is also on pace for the fewest carries since his rookie season. Nine times in his career Gore has run for over 200 times in a season. Eight times he has run for over 1,000 yards. Gore has run 98 times for 446 yards and three touchdowns this season. He carried the ball just nine times in Sunday's loss to the Saints.

"I understand the big picture of everything," said Gore after practice Wednesday. "I've been in this league 11 years now. I know some games dictate how the game is going. That's how I know how the (running back) will be able to play. Last week the game was out of hand early, so we had to play catch up and try to get quick scores."

The Colts have trailed in every game but one (at Houston) this season. Playing catch up is quicker with passing offense. Even so, Colts head coach Chuck Pagano says Gore must get more carries.

"We all know that he's a dynamic guy in our offense," says Pagano. "He's averaging 4-5 (yards) a carry. We all know when he carries the ball X amount of times our win-loss record is what it is. Regardless of what the score is, we've got to stay with the run. We can't totally abandon the run game. I think everybody understands that."

But after falling behind in most games, the Colts have relied on the arm of Andrew Luck. The Colts' quarterback is struggling, with nine interceptions and a quarterback rating (76.3) and completion percentage (56.2 percent) down among the worst of NFL starting quarterbacks. More carries from Gore could relieve some of the offensive burden on Luck.

The Colts generally play better the more Gore runs the football. His best and busiest game was also the Colts best, when Gore ran 22 times for 98 yards in a win at Houston. Gore ran 14 times for 86 yards in a win at Tennessee. The Colts have not had a 100-yard rusher in the last 47 games.

"I think we're doing a great job," said Gore. "I think as a whole on the ground we're taking steps the right way. We just have to keep going to get better. I think we will."

Gore is the NFL's active leader in career carries (2,540) and rushing yards (11,519). He has started 67 consecutive games, the longest streak among active running backs. The Colts want to protect the veteran from overuse and preserve his legs for late in the season. The team recently signed Ahmad Bradshaw to provide depth at running back. The Colts want to find a winning balance that allows Gore to get more work than he has so far without wearing down their workhorse.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Chicago Bears safety Antrel Rolle admitted Wednesday that his high ankle sprain is expected to cause him discomfort the rest of the season.Rolle returned to practice in limited fashion on Wednesday.

“I feel all right,” Rolle said. “I’m still grinding and I’m still working. I’m trying to get back to 100 percent. You know, it’s going to be a constant grind, it’s going to be a constant grind for the rest of the year. I’ve had this injury before and it’s an injury that pretty much you feel all season long. It’s just a matter of pain tolerance and feeling comfortable with running and breaking and all that good stuff.

Rolle missed the Bears’ last two games after injuring his ankle in Chicago’s 22-20 victory over the Raiders on Oct. 4. Before experiencing the Week 4 setback, Rolle had played in every regular-season game since 2009.

Rolle has not ruled out playing against the Vikings at Soldier Field this Sunday.

“The bye came with perfect timing,” Rolle said. “I’m still trying to push it, still trying to evaluate where I am for Sunday. Sunday has always been my timing point, and I haven’t shied away from that goal yet. I’m just going to keep pushing and keep grinding, and hopefully I’ll be able to be out there with the guys on Sunday.”

Shane Larkin tied his career-high with eight assists vs. the Bulls on Wednesday, adding six points, three steals and one block while starting in place of Jarrett Jack (hamstring).

He logged 23 minutes and will draw another start if Jack isn't ready to go for Friday's game in San Antonio. Larkin isn't much of a scoring threat, limiting him to a handful of assists and steals with solid FT percentages, which aren't likely to aid owners in 12-team leagues.

For six weeks, Clive Walford was trapped behind two other tight ends on Oakland's depth chart.

Those days ended when Walford tracked down a perfect touchdown pass from Derek Carr on Sunday, though.

"(Carr) snapped the ball and I saw the way the defender played it," Walford told Silver & Black Pride. "I felt like he was going to come at me, so I ran my route, cut back, saw the ball and knew I had to make a play on it."

So much for Walford's rookie grace period. He's reading defenses and adjusting like a 10-year veteran would.

The Raiders might be wise to anoint Walford as their future. They'd permit him to grow alongside Carr and wideout Amari Cooper into what could be a terrifying set of triplets.

That's the long-term plan, according to head coach Jack Del Rio. But that long-term plan might kick in this week.

Said Del Rio: "We think Clive's a good young football player that has a bright future who we want to develop him and grow him and have him be a big part of what we're doing."

The Colts could use all hands on deck as they try to pull out of their season-long nosedive, but they won’t have the services of their 2015 first-round pick for a month or more.

Reports that wide receiver Phillip Dorsett suffered a fracture in his lower leg during Sunday’s loss to the Saints were confirmed on Monday. Dorsett will have surgery on Tuesday and said that it was a clean break that avoided any nerve or ligament damage, which leaves him to lament the timing of the injury.

“I was literally just starting to get in the flow and get in the game plan more,” Dorsett said, via the Indianapolis Star. “I was getting more involved and we had a lot more four-wide [sets] in. I was playing a little running back. Things happen. It’s football. But I don’t expect a drop-off when I get back.”

The timeline for his return is set at 4-6 weeks, which would get him back before the end of the regular season if all goes according to plan. Whether there will be much to play for at that point will come down to his teammates’ ability to find a high enough level of play to remain in front of the rest of an AFC South that may be won by a team with a losing record.

Move over Julio Jones. Take a seat Antonio Brown. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin has some of the best hands in the NFL. This, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN in a video segment on the website.

After calling out New England’s Brandon LaFell for doing his best to make people forget about Braylon Edwards, he notes that Benjamin has no drops, 575 yards and four touchdowns after being targeted 56 times through seven weeks.

Thought of to be a field-stretching deep threat, Benjamin has morphed his game into that of a possession-based slot receiver, being among the top 25 in receptions and top four in yards-per-catch (minimum of 30 receptions). The timing couldn’t be better for Benjamin’s breakout performance this season. The diminutive receiver is easily outperforming the $660,000 salary he’s making in the final year of his rookie contract. Assuming his productivity continues, he will surely draw major interest in his services should the Browns not find a way to get a deal done.

Bringing back Benjamin should be one of the more uncontroversial priorities for the Browns. Famous last words, we know.

Allen Hurns’ game-winning TD, which was the fifth straight week he had a TD, extended the streak to 13 straight weeks a #proCane has scored a TD in the #‎NFL. Walford’s TD was the first of his NFL career!

Former Miami Hurricanes legend Ed Reed would like see former players involved in the coaching search for Al Golden's replacement, so much so that he said Monday even he would listen if the school wants to talk about a position with the program.

Reed laughed off the idea of him as a head coach in an interview about Miami on the Rich Eisen Show, but acknowledged that he and other former players want to figure out a way to get involved and help the Canes return to the level of greatness they experienced.

"I haven't received a call from a 305 (area code) number," Reed said with a chuckle. "I would definitely listen, would go and talk and want to know what they're looking to do. I would entertain it.

"I'm at a different place in my life right now, working out, training, coaching from afar, helping guys out, high school, college and pro alike. I definitely would entertain it."

Reed said several former players have a group chat to discuss the future of the Miami program, and that he has discussed the issue with former Miami quarterback and current Carolina Panthers assistant Ken Dorsey.

"Only person [from the Miami family tree] I've talked to was Ken Dorsey," Reed told Eisen. "Me and Dorsey have talked a great bit about coaching together, but neither one of us want to be the head coach. We argued that. I know other guys would chime in and definitely want to be a part of it in some way, help out.

"I know guys got a group chat together, trying to figure out how we can have input helping make a good decision, a football decision, for the school and for the players."

One thing is for sure: If Ed Reed were to take any position with Miami, he should have no trouble motivating the locker room.

For a while in this Jaguars-Bills game over in London, it looked like nobody was going to score. So much for that. Thanks in part to three defensive touchdowns, both teams topped 30 points in the Jags' 34-31 victory Sunday in London.

Buffalo's back-to-back mid-fourth quarter TDs by Marcus Easley (his first career touchdown catch) and Corey Graham (on a pick-six) gave it a 31-27 lead late. Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville offense then had to mount a last-ditch drive to keep from dropping to 1-6.

And mount a last-ditch touchdown drive they did, thanks to this ridiculous catch from Allen Hurns.

The Colts dropped to 3-4 in a 27-21 loss to the Saints on Sunday and they also reportedly lost one of their wide receivers for multiple weeks.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that first-round pick Phillip Dorsett suffered a fractured ankle during the first half of the game. Dorsett left the game after an eight-yard catch on a pass from Andrew Luck in the second quarter and didn’t return.

Per Schefter, the initial estimate is that Dorsett will miss 4-6 weeks. He’ll have more tests on Monday and it would seem to be a possibility that the team would place Dorsett on injured reserve if there’s a feeling he’ll be out any longer than the top end of that estimate.

Dorsett had that one catch on Sunday and has 21 catches for 159 yards on the year.

Walford caught both of his targets for 42 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Chargers.

Walford hauled in a 23-yard touchdown during the second quarter on Sunday which marked the first one of his NFL career. He was one of three tight ends to see at least two targets for the Raiders which still suggests that they will continue to split time moving forward. Walford was very highly touted entering the year and he'll likely be the long-term option, but he won't provide a whole lot of fantasy value as long as they are sharing time.

Orlando Franklin slammed his helmet on the motorized cart as it began to shuttle him off the field.

It’s been that type of season for him.

The Chargers left guard suffered a left knee injury in the fourth quarter of a 37-29 loss to the Raiders. He declined comment afterward in the locker room, but his mobility level said enough: He barely could walk. Franklin was one of two known, potentially significant injuries, as inside linebacker Denzel Perryman exited in the first half with an arm issue.

How serious these ailments are will gain clarity Monday upon further testing.

Perryman, a rookie second-round pick, made his second career start for Manti Te’o (ankle), but he watched the second half with his right arm in a sling. A torn biceps is the concern, a source said Sunday.

Likewise, it remains to be seen when or if Franklin can return this year.

Sunday was his first game back after missing the past three, having been carted off in Week 3 with a high ankle sprain. These injuries are something new for Franklin in the NFL; he missed just one game in four seasons with the Broncos.

Franklin then joined with the Chargers in March as their biggest external free-agency investment. His five-year contract is worth up to $36.5 million, including an $8 million signing bonus. Kenny Wiggins stepped in to finish at left guard.

“It sucks to see it happen to a guy,” right tackle Joe Barksdale said of Franklin. “People always talk about it’s the reality of the business that guys are going to get hurt, some kind of nick or bruise over the season, some guys obviously more than others. What I can say about Orlando is, the first time he was out, he kept a positive attitude. He stayed in tune with the game plan, was there for his teammates on the sideline, made all the trips to the games even though he wasn’t playing.

“We don’t know what the diagnosis is. Of course, we hate to see it happen. He’s a strong guy. He’s going to bounce back. That’s who he is.”

Dolphins running back Lamar Miller exploded for 175 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in Sunday's win over the Texans. He added 61 yards and a touchdown on three receptions.

The 24-year-old amazingly fit all of his production into the opening half, ripping off touchdowns on a 54-yard catch and an 85-yard run as Miami took a 41-point lead into the break. Miller has been a new man under coach Dan Campbell, totaling 364 yards and a pair of touchdowns in two games, and he figures to remain heavily involved in the new regime's offense. Miller and company will face a tough test in Week 8, when they travel to take on the Patriots on Thursday night.

Browns wide receiver Travis Benjamin caught four passes on eight targets for 47 yards and a fumble in the Sunday defeat in St. Louis.

Though he hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 3, Benjamin has been emerging as one of the team's top targets in the offense with 59 total target. Despite the "off game", Benjamin is still Cleveland's leading receiver with 575 receiving yards and four touchdowns through the first seven games. He is still of valid Fantasy value in most formats.

Greg Olsen only had three catches on Sunday against the Eagles, but had 65 yards receiving, his fourth game this season with at least that many yards receiving. Olsen was held without a touchdown after catching a touchdown in two of three games, but now averages 16.3 yards per catch.

Fantasy Impact: He is a top-five TE and has a much higher upside, as the Panthers have a very limited wide receiver core. Ted Ginn Jr. led the team in targets against the Eagles with eight, but Olsen has had 11 or more targets in three of his last five games and has had three games this season with six or more receptions. Olsen may have a tough time in Week 8, as the Colts rank 13th against tight ends.

Lamar Miller's workload has increased since Joe Philbin was given his walking papers and the running back hasn't disappointed.

Miller continued his hot streak under Dolphins interim coach Dan Campbell by exploding for 236 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in a 44-26 victory against the Texans on Sunday.

Miller never received more than 15 touches the first four games of the season; with Campbell, the versatile back got the rock 21 times versus the Titans and another 17 times against the Texans.

"Earlier in the year, I was worried about how many opportunities I was going to get," said Miller, per the Miami Herald. "I wasn't getting the ball that much. So every time I got it I was trying to make a big play, and I wasn't reading my keys."

Miller's damage on the Texans could have been a lot worse if the back didn't sit out the second half.

The fourth-year back credited his offensive line for providing the holes against J.J. Watt and Co., but Miller's vision and speed took advantage of the openings for big gains.

The Dolphins' offense all of a sudden is scary with Ryan Tannehill, wide receivers Jarvis Landry, Rishard Matthews carving up secondaries and Miller playing the role of Le'Veon Bell.

Miller has rushed for 175 yards and 113 yards, respectively, the last two outings, but his pass catching has opened up the offense, giving Tannehill a security blanket.

Watch out, AFC wild card contenders. The 3-3 Dolphins and Miller are on the rise.

Frank Gore carried the ball nine times for 43 yards and caught five balls for 32 yards on eight targets. The Colts fell to the Saints 27-21.

Fantasy Impact: Even with a plus match up, Frank Gore was unable to reward his owners with big numbers. Unfortunately, the Colts fell behind early and Gore was taken out of the equation. Gore has been a solid RB2 in 2015. However, with the stingy Panthers and Broncos defenses on tap, one should look for other options over the next two weeks.

Duke Johnson totaled 90 yards as the Browns fell short to the Rams 24-6 in Week 7. He only averaged 2.8 yards rushing on the day, but hauled in 7-of-7 targets for 73 yards. (ESPN)

Fantasy Impact: Johnson has major appeal moving forward, particulartly in PPR leagues. Despite the Browns ranking 28th in rushing production per game, they rank 8th in passing yards. That bodes well for Johnson's fantasy value as a passing-down specialist.

Jones was waived by the Hawks Saturday, Chris Vivlamore of AJC.com reports.

Jones was considered a long-shot to make the Opening night roster for the Hawks. The forward last played for the Magic in the 2012-13 season. He had appeared in four preseason games, scoring 11 points in 19 minutes of action.

Larkin would start at point guard in Wednesday's season opener if Jarrett Jack (hamstring) is unable to play, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com reports.

Larkin averaged over 20 minutes per game during the preseason, so he should be able to handle an expanded role Wednesday if Jack is unable to suit up. Larkin started 22 games last season for the Knicks but averaged just 6.4 points and 4.0 assists over 30.7 minutes per game in those contests.

After struggling with a shoulder injury for the latter stages of the season, Yasmani Grandal had surgery last week to repair the damaged joint. While he'll be shut down for a couple months as he recovers from the surgery, there's a silver lining that had him overjoyed when he awoke after the procedure.

Grandal had arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair his AC joint, but there was also a prospect that his labrum would need repair as well. However, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the Dodgers team physician who operated on Grandal, didn't observe any damage on his labrum worth surgically repairing while performing the surgery.

"We knew there was a chance that we … had to do the labrum. But obviously I didn't want to take longer to come back," Grandal told True Blue LA. "So, I was very happy to hear that the labrum wasn't touched once I woke up from the surgery."

Had Grandal's labrum been surgically repaired, his recovery time would have been increased by at least a couple of months and there would have been a chance he wouldn't have been ready to rejoin the team for spring training.

His current recovery time to return to full range of motion is three months.

Grandal is hopeful that his surgery will help him reclaim his All-Star-caliber play. After having a stellar first half in 2015, the 26-year-old catcher's production took a nosedive following his shoulder injury, which he sustained while catching in Philadelphia in August.

Grandal finished the regular season hitting a mere .064/.226/.096 with one home run and five RBI in 31 games after suffering the injury, and only notched one hit in 11 postseason plate appearances while striking out six times.

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